Northeastern Pennsylvania Celebrates a Proud, Long-Standing Tradition of Brewing Beer
Currently, there are 45 publicly-accessible breweries making great beer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In honor of these intrepid artisans, their tasty beers, and those who happily imbibe, we’ve put together the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop.
The Loop covers 10 counties and stops in 29 incredible towns. All told, it stretches out over 400 miles, and makes for quite the scenic tour of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It snakes along forested mountain highways, surfs green pastures, and swims rivers cold and clear.
A trail of well over 500 beers.
NEPA’s craft breweries offer an eclectic journey along the broad spectrum of beer. From light to dark, bitter to sweet, intensely hoppy to subtle malty nuance, there’s a beer for every palate.
Every stop on the Loop features delightfully bitter IPAs, smooth, chocolatey stouts, crisp lagers, easy, drinkable wheat beers, sours and so much more. In fact, many of NEPA’s brewers source ingredients locally. Add to that heaps of inspiration from regional lore and mythology, and you have a stable of unique beers that embody the spirit of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Go ahead. Find yourself a designated driver, make use of a local rideshare, and set out on your very own NEPA craft beer journey. Be responsible. Be safe, and tell em’ DiscoverNEPA sent you.
The Susquehanna Stretch
This portion of the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop totals just over 100 scenic miles. It covers 3 counties, with stops in 9 unique towns, and it includes 12 breweries. Much of the route runs along the mighty Susquehanna River.
This section is book ended by some of NEPA’s most picturesque pastoral farm country. And the river valley in between is dotted with quaint towns and bustling cities.
Bloomsburg is becoming a beer town, and the Turkey Hill Brewing Co. is leading the charge. This charming brewery and pub welcomes visitors with exposed beams and stonework. The beers are the true standout here, but the comforting and delicious food gives them a good run for the money.
The Berwick Brewing Co. is a true, old -school, classic hometown brewery – the only exception is the stunning variety of beer. With over 20 taps, it’s tough to settle on just one style. Stop by in the summer and enjoy their German-style biergarten overlooking the Susquehanna River.
Head to Berwick and check out this unique, little brewery on Front St. Anomaly Craft Brewing combines the brewhouse experience with both a coffee shop and café. Take on flights of their brewery-fresh ales and lagers and save room for soup and a sandwich (and maybe a latte).
Belly up to their classic, horseshoe bar, grab a table overlooking the yard or find a seat on the porch. This small-town brewery runs 12 rotating taps featuring their freshest beers made with only local, homegrown ingredients.
Surrounded by lush, green mountains, this Shickshinny favorite has become a go-to spot for fresh brewed, cold beer. The cozy taproom is the perfect size for a relaxing night out with friends. They also fill growlers.
This scrappy microbrewery in Plymouth brings a fresh spin on the IPA game. Make your way to Bearded Barrel Brewing Co. for their insanely popular can releases and growler fills. You can also find them at many local bars and restaurants.
You can see all the magic happen from the comfort of your table at Benny Brewing Co. in Hanover Township. The pristine, wide open brewery and kitchen are on display as you sample any of the eleven beers on tap. FYI – they have a BBQ pit out back.
Pop in to this Wilkes-Barre brewery, which shares its space with Blaze Pizza, for a few cold ones and a pie. Sample your way through six rotating drafts fresh from the brewhouse. Keep an eye on their weekly schedule of awesome brewery events.
Housed in a former monastery in Wilkes-Barre Township, this popular brewery and brewpub offers an ambitious dining menu to pair with their wide selection of unique rotating drafts. You can also find all of their amazing beers at the Breaker Brewing Outpost in Archbald.
Noted for their incredibly laid back and informative brewery tours, this pioneer in NEPA craft brewing also features a tasting room with 8 of their fresh brewed beers on tap. And if you’re a true fan, you’d know that they also regularly tap casks of rare and experimental beers.
NEPA’s blue-collar roots are on full display in this veteran-owned nano brewery in Dallas. The iconic location’s modern industrial vibe blends with a laid-back atmosphere and expertly crafted brews to deliver the quintessential craft tap room experience.
NEPA’s expansive northern countryside provides the tranquil setting for this winery, brewery and tasting room. They feature a regular line up of 7 year-round beers and the occasional seasonal offering.
The Endless-Pocono Run
This section carries travelers from the Endless Mountains in the north, through historic Scranton and to the Pocono Mountains in the east. It traverses nearly 165 miles of simply stunning terrain. Take in swaths of rolling green fields, the Electric City’s fascinating architecture and scenic mountain vistas.
In total, you’ll come across 22 breweries along this route. It spans 5 counties, makes stops in 14 towns, swings by the picturesque Delaware River and concludes in historic Downtown Stroudsburg.
Head out to Montrose for scenic Endless Mountains roads and fresh, cold beer at this cozy barn-turned brewpub. Alongside their incredible 12-beer tap list, they’re also serving up Peckville’s famous Andy’s Pizza.
This microbrewery in Great Bend serves up a wide variety of brewery-fresh IPAs, lagers, fruit ales and so much more. They even partnered with a popular local food truck to deliver a full menu of beer-worthy eats in their expansive taproom.
With a cozy, little tap room, and eight reliably tasty beers on draft, this Montrose brewery is a favorite among locals. Sample a few of their experimental beers and take home your favorite in a growler.
Head out to NEPA’s northern reaches in Susquehanna for a stable of tasty craft beers alongside a uniquely-creative dining menu at this spacious, Main Street brewpub. Plan your trip to match up with their weekly trivia night or live, local music.
This rural brewhouse in Scott enjoys a quiet, scenic northern Lackawanna County address. The winding country roads and wide-open swaths of golden field treat the eye nearly as much as their delicious beers treat the palate.
This neighborhood microbrewery in Scranton offers a peaceful respite from the bustle of the Electric City. Enjoy brewery-fresh beers in their cozy taproom, or spread out in the dog-friendly back yard. The brewery features a wide selection of expertly crafted beers, and all are also available to go.
This traditional nanobrewery is located within the legendary Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton. The brewery offers up a tap list of just about everything from German-style lagers to Belgian Wits to American IPAs. Cooper’s delicious beers are available exclusively at the famous Electric City restaurant.
Add a splash of colorful digital art to your beer run at this unique NFT-inspired brewery taphouse in Scranton. The slate features 12 funky offerings ranging from traditional and hazy IPAs to popular Stuntman Sour series.
Grab a pint from one of Pennsylvania’s “OG” craft breweries in Scranton’s South Side. This eclectic brewpub offers a rotating selection of the Meadville brewery’s famous stable of regular, seasonal and special beer releases.
Handcrafted, brewery-fresh beer and succulent BBQ come together in a beautiful way at this spacious brewhouse in Dalton. The popular taproom offers a full BBQ menu, plenty of beers on draft and in cans and frequent live, local music.
Honesdale, PA
Historic downtown Honesdale shines in the shadow of the iconic Irving Cliff at this craft brewpub on Chapel St. Enjoy a wide selection of brewery-fresh ales and lagers alongside a full menu of delicious sandwiches and entrees.
Offering a charming take on the neighborhood brewpub, this Main Street favorite delights with innovative beers, an ever-evolving menu and a reverence for classic rustic design. Sit down and pair a pint with a pizza, or grab a growler to go.
Relax in the scenic, Pocono Mountain countryside at this working hop farm, event space and tasting room in Milanville. The brew farm serves as an extension of Second District Brewing in Philadelphia and offers up a full tap list of brewery-fresh beers.
History blends well with beer at this plucky nano brewery and taproom located inside the famous Hawley Silk Mill. The beautifully renovated space features tons of natural light, wood tones, a lengthy bar and at least 8 delicious beers always on tap.
This contemporary Pocono brewpub offers the perfect spot for gathering with a few friends, or for a night out with the family. With 12 beers on tap and a fresh, locally-sourced menu, good times aren’t hard to find.
Situated directly between Scranton and Lake Wallenpaupack, this modest brewery keeps it simple with only tours and growler fills. What’s not so simple, however, is the beer. Try their local favorite Maggie’s Tail English Ale or look for their easy-breezy summer wheat beer. Stop by their taproom for brewery tours, tastings, pints, flights and growler fills.
It’s all about beer and great music at this little gem in the heart of the Poconos. Their often-whimsical beers and the funky tap room ambiance will leave you wishing the night would never end.
Quaint, historic Milford offers an alluring setting for this popular brewery and taproom. Steel, stone and wood combine to create a rustic ambiance that fits the character and deep, bold flavors of their beersYou can also find those same beers at their satellite taproom in Tafton.
Venture off the beaten path to this massive brewpub set inside a big, red barn. Along with classic Pocono Mountain scenery, enjoy an expertly-crafted tap list of lagers, ales, sours and ciders. They even offer their own brick-oven pizzas, snacks, kid’s eats and desserts.
This popular brewery nestled along the mighty Delaware River features a spacious tap room and an incredible pizza and pretzel menu. They offer live local music every weekend and the occasional open mic night. Also, the beers are ridiculously good.
Pizza and fresh-brewed craft beer are the name of the game at this popular East Stroudsburg hangout. Aside from a cool, spacious bar and dining room, great local music and an incredible menu, this joint’s got some amazingly tasty beers.
This intrepid craft brewery brings beer back from an eight-decade slumber in Downtown Stroudsburg. Dive into an impressive tap list featuring hefty imperial IPAs, deliciously comforting stouts and more.
The Southern Reach
This section of the Loop reaches into NEPA’s southernmost counties. It extends 110 miles to the southwest. Here, the route leaves the dense Pocono wilds for the undulating valleys of NEPA’s southern hard coal country. It then takes one last dramatic turn northward to Bloomsburg.
On this part of the Loop, you’ll cross through 4 counties, stopping in 8 towns. Altogether, you will hit 11 unique breweries and dive deep into NEPA’s industrial past.
There’s just as much emphasis on the delicious food as there is on the craft beers at this family run southern Pocono brewery and restaurant. Pair any one of their 8 beers with an oak-wood fired pizza.
A Pocono favorite since the mid-90s, this brewery and restaurant has almost too much fun making great beer and food. There is also a spacious Beer Garden and mini wiffle ball stadium.Check out their popular tasting room located inside The Crossings Premium Outlets.
The stunning mountaintop setting and the incredible views are enough to warrant a trip to this Stroudsburg winery and brewery. It just happens to be a bonus that they also make delicious beer and wine.
The focus is on hand-crafted, high-quality, low ABV lagers and ales at this family-run brewhouse in historic Jim Thorpe. Stop by the comfortably rustic taproom for a liter after an afternoon on the town, or just pop in for a 4-pack to go.
Get cozy in this industrial era mansion-turned brewhouse in iconic Jim Thorpe. Grab a comfy seat in the bar room or elegant parlor room and cruise through the tap list from lager to IPA, light to dark, you name it, it’s brewery-fresh.
This veteran-owned craft brewery in Lehighton operates a popular taproom out of Carbon County neighbor, Insurrection Distillery. They also distribute to many local restaurants and bottle shops. Keep an eye out for their distinct stubby bottles.
At this blue-collar brewery and tasting room, every beer is pulled directly from the serving tank. And every sip embodies the rough and tumble spirit of Tamaqua. You’ll always find innovative, fresh cold beers on tap at their comfy tasting room.
This neighborhood nano-brewery in Tamaqua’s Historic District celebrates the region’s hard coal heritage one beer at a time. The brewpub features an authentic Oktoberfest vibe, including real tables imported from the famous German festival. It’s just simple, blue-collar beer at its best.
If you’ve been around for nearly 200 years, you must be doing something right. This brewery has remained the beating heart of Pottsville since 1829. They were then and still are considered the king of American lager. There’s no better place to lose yourself in the brewing history of NEPA.
Sample your way through an impressive 12-beer tap list at this artistic, industrial nanobrewery on Centre Street in Downtown Pottsville. Guests are also encouraged to BYOF (Bring Your Own Food).
There are always 13 fresh beers on tap at this popular Bloomsburg hotspot. But don’t worry, there’s more than enough delicious food on the menu to pair with your IPAs and Porters.
Get to know NEPA one beer at a time
The DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop pays homage to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s proud history of brewing. It honors the good men and women whose hard work and passion drive this exploding industry toward the future. Quite simply, it celebrates beer, those who dream it, those who drink it, and those who drive them home.
Follow along as we hit the road and bring you a closer look inside NEPA’s incredible craft breweries.
And don’t forget to cross this item off your DiscoverNEPA Bucket List.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 11/26/2018.
